Cost

Subjects

Deadlines

Program Overview

Greater Munich provides the backdrop for this KIIS summer program. Individual students are housed with German families in Munich suburbs, allowing them opportunities to hone their language skills and learn about German family life, an experience that participants consistently call remarkable. Several long weekends offer students opportunities for independent travel to explore the wider German-speaking world. Life and learning within Munich is complimented by various excursions around Bavaria, as well as trips to historical and cultural sites within the Munich cityscape.

Language Requirement: Yes, must have at least 12 credit hours of college-level German or equivalent at time of departure.For GERM 455 only, must have at least 18 credit hours or permission of instructor. All courses taught in German.

Accommodations: Homestay, 1-3 students per family.

Orientation: Mandatory orientation on Saturday, April 18 in Bowling Green, KY. See Orientation for more information.

Courses

GERM 306 Experiencing German Abroad: 20th and 21st Centuries Munich

German society experienced significant historical transformations during the 20th and 21st centuries due to the impact of two world wars and migration. This course will explore how Germany, the city of Munich in particular, reflects these changes.

GERM 455 Topics: Drama, Film and Popular Culture

Drama, film and popular culture each offer unique veins through which to understand contemporary German society and culture. This course will explore German culture through multiple outlets in the cultural scene of Munich.

All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.

Program Excursions

The first concentration camp opened in Germany, Dachau is located on the outskirts of Munich. We spend a day at the camp, allowing each student to see the remaining camp and the temporary and permanent exhibitions on display.

Experiencing German culture first hand is irreplaceable. We will attend a play at one of Munich’s many theaters, which differs each year depending on the current schedule. Students in 455 read and discuss the play as course assignments.

With both permanent and short term exhibitions, we visit the Stadtmuseum to gain a deeper understanding of the rich history of Munich and Bavaria. Located in the city center, it highlights the long-standing beer culture in Bavaria, as well as the history of Munich through the First and Second World Wars, as well as its history dating back to the 12th century.

During the first days of the program, we embark on a city excursion to help orient all participants around downtown Munich. This basic historical tour provides us not only with a general orientation of the city itself, but the historical overview of the rich history Munich has to offer, highlighting the historic Marienplatz, Karlsplatz, the English Garden, and the iconic Hofbräuhaus Brewery.

A day trip to Austria from Munich, Salzburg offers us a unique history complimented by a contemporary cityscape. A visit through the city takes us to the birth house of Wolfgang Mozart as well as another where he spent his youth, the Mirabell gardens (from the iconic Sound of Music) and culminates with a tour of the impressive fortress overlooking the city, Hohensalzburg.

An iconic symbol of Bavaria, Schloss Neuschwanstein once served as the inspiration for Walt Disney’s castle. A day trip from Munich, we visit the town of Füssen and then hike the mountain to arrive at the castle. Though never finished, we take a tour of the castle and learn about the history of the castle, its patron King Ludwig II and the surrounding areas.

Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, Bad Tölz offers we look into small town Bavarian life and culture. You also visit the glacial waters of the Isar river, as well as visit the Kalvarienberg and accompanying churches, which offer an outstanding view of the city, river and Alps.

To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of your textbooks & materials, passport fees ($135), personal expenses (approx. $750 minimum), independent travel ($800, optional) and any fees from your college/university.

Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.

Group Flight

Estimated Cost: $1,750 – $1,850

The KIIS Munich program offers a group flight option where you can travel to/from Munich with other students and faculty. If you choose this option, KIIS will purchase a round-trip flight ticket for you. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1. The group flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville.

If not selecting the group flight, you are responsible to purchase your own roundtrip airfare.

The flight to Munich, Germany is overnight arriving the following morning. On the return, the flight from Germany to the USA departs and arrives on the same day. Visit Flights and Passports & Visas for more information.

Student Voices

“Study abroad changes the way you think and feel. It’s a crash course in language acquisition and development. Just do it, and do everything to your fullest extent.”

–Erin, Munich

“Overall, KIIS Munich was one of the best experiences of my life. I made incredible new friends, family and added a plethora of knowledge to my German. This was definitely one of the best decisions of my life. If you embrace the program for all that it is, you will have the time of your life!”

- Sydney, Munich

“I grew so much more than I could have possibly imagined in Munich. The knowledge I’ve gained in 6 weeks is unfathomable.”

-Abby, Munich

“KIIS Munich was a great international experience and I think it will add value to me personally and educationally. It has given me a new perspective on another culture and bolstered my German education from my home university.”

– Sabrina, Munich

“As a non-traditional student participating in the KIIS Munich program was bar-none the best study abroad experience, for which I could have asked. The ability to spend 5 weeks in another country and truly immersing myself in another culture and language is an invaluable resource which will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Cost

Subjects

Deadlines

Program Overview

Greater Munich provides the backdrop for this KIIS summer program. Individual students are housed with German families in Munich suburbs, allowing them opportunities to hone their language skills and learn about German family life, an experience that participants consistently call remarkable. Several long weekends offer students opportunities for independent travel to explore the wider German-speaking world. Life and learning within Munich is complimented by various excursions around Bavaria, as well as trips to historical and cultural sites within the Munich cityscape.

Language Requirement: Yes, must have at least 12 credit hours of college-level German or equivalent at time of departure.For GERM 455 only, must have at least 18 credit hours or permission of instructor. All courses taught in German.

Accommodations: Homestay, 1-3 students per family.

Orientation: Mandatory orientation on Saturday, April 18 in Bowling Green, KY. See Orientation for more information.

Courses

GERM 306 Experiencing German Abroad: 20th and 21st Centuries Munich

German society experienced significant historical transformations during the 20th and 21st centuries due to the impact of two world wars and migration. This course will explore how Germany, the city of Munich in particular, reflects these changes.

GERM 455 Topics: Drama, Film and Popular Culture

Drama, film and popular culture each offer unique veins through which to understand contemporary German society and culture. This course will explore German culture through multiple outlets in the cultural scene of Munich.

All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.

Program Excursions

The first concentration camp opened in Germany, Dachau is located on the outskirts of Munich. We spend a day at the camp, allowing each student to see the remaining camp and the temporary and permanent exhibitions on display.

Experiencing German culture first hand is irreplaceable. We will attend a play at one of Munich’s many theaters, which differs each year depending on the current schedule. Students in 455 read and discuss the play as course assignments.

With both permanent and short term exhibitions, we visit the Stadtmuseum to gain a deeper understanding of the rich history of Munich and Bavaria. Located in the city center, it highlights the long-standing beer culture in Bavaria, as well as the history of Munich through the First and Second World Wars, as well as its history dating back to the 12th century.

During the first days of the program, we embark on a city excursion to help orient all participants around downtown Munich. This basic historical tour provides us not only with a general orientation of the city itself, but the historical overview of the rich history Munich has to offer, highlighting the historic Marienplatz, Karlsplatz, the English Garden, and the iconic Hofbräuhaus Brewery.

A day trip to Austria from Munich, Salzburg offers us a unique history complimented by a contemporary cityscape. A visit through the city takes us to the birth house of Wolfgang Mozart as well as another where he spent his youth, the Mirabell gardens (from the iconic Sound of Music) and culminates with a tour of the impressive fortress overlooking the city, Hohensalzburg.

An iconic symbol of Bavaria, Schloss Neuschwanstein once served as the inspiration for Walt Disney’s castle. A day trip from Munich, we visit the town of Füssen and then hike the mountain to arrive at the castle. Though never finished, we take a tour of the castle and learn about the history of the castle, its patron King Ludwig II and the surrounding areas.

Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, Bad Tölz offers we look into small town Bavarian life and culture. You also visit the glacial waters of the Isar river, as well as visit the Kalvarienberg and accompanying churches, which offer an outstanding view of the city, river and Alps.

To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of your textbooks & materials, passport fees ($135), personal expenses (approx. $750 minimum), independent travel ($800, optional) and any fees from your college/university.

Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.

Group Flight

Estimated Cost: $1,750 – $1,850

The KIIS Munich program offers a group flight option where you can travel to/from Munich with other students and faculty. If you choose this option, KIIS will purchase a round-trip flight ticket for you. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1. The group flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville.

If not selecting the group flight, you are responsible to purchase your own roundtrip airfare.

The flight to Munich, Germany is overnight arriving the following morning. On the return, the flight from Germany to the USA departs and arrives on the same day. Visit Flights and Passports & Visas for more information.

Student Voices

“Study abroad changes the way you think and feel. It’s a crash course in language acquisition and development. Just do it, and do everything to your fullest extent.”

–Erin, Munich

“Overall, KIIS Munich was one of the best experiences of my life. I made incredible new friends, family and added a plethora of knowledge to my German. This was definitely one of the best decisions of my life. If you embrace the program for all that it is, you will have the time of your life!”

- Sydney, Munich

“I grew so much more than I could have possibly imagined in Munich. The knowledge I’ve gained in 6 weeks is unfathomable.”

-Abby, Munich

“KIIS Munich was a great international experience and I think it will add value to me personally and educationally. It has given me a new perspective on another culture and bolstered my German education from my home university.”

– Sabrina, Munich

“As a non-traditional student participating in the KIIS Munich program was bar-none the best study abroad experience, for which I could have asked. The ability to spend 5 weeks in another country and truly immersing myself in another culture and language is an invaluable resource which will stay with me for the rest of my life.”